FYI

To contribute to the Caleb White back-to-school event, Chalkfly has created a registry in Caleb’s name where supplies can be purchased.

If you are interested in participating in this event, you may choose to have all of the supplies shipped to:

Clifford Smart Middle School

8500 Commerce Rd.

Commerce Twp., Michigan 48382

Call 248-956-3500

DEADLINE:

In order to make sure that all supplies are delivered to the school in time, organizers have determined that Friday, Aug. 15 is the last day that you could order through Chalkfly.

Six-year-old Caleb White was at a circus in Detroit with his family when he saw a homeless man curled up trying to keep warm, his mother recalled.

“He asked about the man and I explained not everyone has a place to live,” said Caleb’s mother, Melissa Kennedy.

“Then he said, ‘We need to build him a house.’”

Since that day, Caleb White of Commerce Township and his family have worked to provide clothing and supplies for Detroit’s less fortunate.

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From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at Beulah First Missionary Church in Detroit, Caleb, now 12 and backed up by several corporate titans, will host a gathering to distribute back-to-school supplies to Detroit students in need.

Kennedy said the special giving began when young Caleb wrote to family members and asked them to bring blankets and gloves for the homeless the family’s annual Thanksgiving gathering. The family complied and just before Christmas, Caleb and his parents distributed the gifts to people on the streets.

Each year, the amount donated has grown. One year there were so many winter coats donated, the family reached out to Beulah First Missionary to help.

“I have never had to worry about going back to school without all of the stuff I need,” said Caleb.

“I don’t think any kid should have to. We need to help others so that they can focus on school. I think we should always try to give more than we receive and expect nothing in return.”

Caleb — who attends Clifford Smart Middle School in Commerce Township — recently had heard that Beulah Church had dropped its back-to-school supplies program. He decided to take action and emailed Dan Gilbert, chairman and founder of Rock Ventures and Quicken Loans Inc. in Detroit, asking him about helping out with the supplies.

Much to Caleb’s surprise, his family said, Gilbert responded and emailed CEOs at his companies asking them to help as well.

Caleb was called in for a July 7 meeting where Gilbert’s executives discussed the project.

Designers created a logo for the Caleb White Project and committed to filling 838 backpacks.

“Caleb had hoped to fill 175 backpacks so this was pretty overwhelming,” said Kennedy.

Two companies taking lead roles on this project are dPOP!, which provides office design management, and Chalkfly, an office supplies company, officials said.

Detroit students will receive free haircuts, manicures, food and backpacks full of school supplies.

Guests will enjoy slushies and bounce houses and receive supplies.

Caleb, said his mother, is an especially caring boy who one day wants to attend either Harvard or MIT.

“Caleb has so much compassion for others,” said Kennedy. “It’s quite humbling when your 12 year old teaches you about empathy.”